League: Stats look promising on two-ref system

The increased speed of games in the NRL in 2009 was quantified when the statistics from round one were totalled.

And fears that the penalty count would rocket with two referees on watch have been dismissed.

The eight games took 691 minutes to play out compared with 733 minutes in round one 2008.

Only 12 decisions on tries were sent to the video referee compared with 31 in round one last year.

There were 128 penalties blown last weekend, 123 in the first round of 2008.

Across the board, the teams averaged a completion rate of 27/39, showing skill levels have been maintained at the higher pace.

The two-referee system has overwhelming support from the coaches, says refs' boss Robert Finch.

In New Zealand, it has found favour with the NZRL's national refereeing co-ordinator, Ian Mackintosh, because the elevation of several Sydney referees to the NRL has opened opportunities for New Zealand referees to control NSW Rugby League competition games.

The NRL has approached the Government for a A$20million grant to fund accommodation for its offices and the One Community support network it runs.